Phase I
Stabilizing the Building
In keeping with the Conditions Assessment recommendations, Phase I focused on work deemed essential to stabilize and preserve the building. The major tasks involved were:
- Foundation repair & stabilization
- Masonry repair
- Removal & replacement of the badly deteriorated classroom ceiling
- Repainting of the classroom interior & all exterior wood work.
The highest priority item on this list was one of the least visible to the casual observer: repair & stabilization. of the foundation. An easy problem to miss, it was quickly flagged by Stephanie Davis, the structural engineer from the conditions assessment team, who discovered that the southeast corner of the classroom was approximately one and one-half inches lower than the rest of the building.
Stephanie's discovery led to the digging of test wells at the corners of the building to diagnosis the cause of the problem. This exercise revealed that one of the large granite blocks comprising the foundation had partially slipped off its 150 year-old loose stone footing, the top of which lay approximately one foot below the surface of the surrounding soil.
Since further movement of the foundation, no matter how minor, would inevitably lead to further damage to the masonry and classroom ceiling, preventing such movement was the first item tackled when work began in the summer 2019. Today, the only visible evidence of this small but important project is a small gravel area around the perimeter of the classroom building. Installed to improve drainage, it also conceals the trench that provided temporary access to the foundation while the repair work. was in process.
All of the major Phase I work was completed in time for the Schoolhouse's Special 150th Anniversary Celebration & Open House on September 14, 2019. For attendees, it was an opportunity to view first hand the new classroom ceiling, freshly painted classroom and exterior trim, the restored masonry, and marvel at the integrity of their iconic little schoolhouse.
As of late 2019, there was still a small remaining balance from the Phase I grant. Accordingly, our plan for the spring of 2020 was to resume work by applying the leftover monies to several of the remaining tasks listed in the conditions assessment, while simultaneously applying for a new grant to fund Phase II. But Mother Nature had a different plan. It was called COVID-19.
Failing classroom ceiling
Phase II
Finishing the Job
Upon completion of Phase I, it was clear that additional funding would be necessary to compete the restoration of Sandy Pond School. And once again, CPC and the Town of Ayer responded to the challenge by approving another major grant ($187,340) to complete the restoration in October 2020. Phase II was a major effort. Ultimately much delayed by COVID and the subsequent labor and materials shortages, it encompassed the following work:
- Installation of a new roof: Originally estimated at $45,000, the final cost of this important work came in at $67,000 due to post-COVID materials shortages. Featuring red cedar and new copper flashing, the new roof meets national historical standards and has an estimated life of 30 years.
- Construction and installation of a new MAAB (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board) fully accessible rest room: Included removal of existing walls (saved for reuse), installation of underlayment, a new floor, new walls, new door, new accessories, and new rough plumbing and fixtures including water heater.
- Installation of accessible entrance and doors: Included demolition and enlargement of entrance from ell to classroom, patching of trim and plaster, repair/replacement of existing ell entrance, installation of new accessible entrance at rear of ell with ramp, walkway, and handicapped parking area adjacent to dead end street.
- Repair/re-glaze/repainting of windows and exterior trim: Included removal, dip stripping, re-glazing, reinstallation, and repainting of windows & trim.
- HVAC & electrical work: Included new 100-amp service and installation of new historically appropriate interior lighting fixtures.
- Exterior maintenance & repair: Including repair, priming, and painting of ell siding following installation of new entrance doors.
The Happy Ending: Save for a few minor remaining items to be addressed in early 2024, all of the above work was finally completed in December 2023. As a result, Sandy Pond Schoolhouse will reopen to the public on a continuing basis effective in May 2024.
Refurbished classroom with new ceiling fixture
Visit the Schoolhouse
The restored schoolhouse is now open on selected Saturdays. Click below for the summer 2024 schedule.